Battle of the Bands heats up Bayou Classic

For tonight, the Bayou Classic is all about the marching bands from Southern University and Grambling State the prelude to Saturday's 34th annual gridiron face-off, one of the most intense rivalries in college football.

One Grambling alumnus couldn't help but interrupt a Southern fan's conversation about which band rocks the hardest with the brass, drums and reeds - not to mention the band members' dance moves.

"In order to dance, they have to put their instruments down," said Greg Mackey, 42, a Sergeant 1st Class in the Army and 1987 graduate of Grambling said of the rival band. "It's like chewing gum and walking at the same time."

Mackey, a Lake Charles native now in Fort Knox, Ky., joshed and dissed his Southern rivals in complete deadpan, while Southern fans shook their heads and smiled in line amid the evening chill.

By 5:30 p.m., Mackey was among hundreds of people huddled outside the Superdome, as the doors opened for the Battle of the Bands and Greek Step Show, which begins at 7 p.m.

Mackey said words can't describe the emotions that resonate through the Dome when the step show and marching bands start up tonight. "It's electrifying," he said.

"It's pure chaos," said Tamill Acker, 34, a New Orleans native who moved to Dallas a few years ago. Acker played in the marching band while at Southern before graduating in 1992.

LaShaunda Randall, sporting her Southern jacket, brought her two daughters, nephew and husband, Terrell, once again to the marching band show. It's been a family tradition for 15 years, Randall said.

"Southern is so loud," Randall said. "You can hear them coming from anywhere. Like they sing, 'Southern is the best band in the land.' "

Those shivering outside the Dome agreed on one thing: the band battle is not to be missed.

"I've been planning my vacation around it for 19 years," said Mackey. "Last year, I came from Korea."